First Trial

[stagemanagers]

[Just as everyone is starting to finish their investigations, there's a slow ominous sound from the lobby.

The gilded doors on the northern wall have opened.

This time, the space behind them is lit; you're free to enter. There's one more set of doors to pass through, and then you're all, finally, in the House. There's one grand chandelier above, glittering crystal, and the seats around you are made of fine red velvet. Those don't seem to be for you, though - all the way down in front of the stage, where the orchestra might sit, there's a circle of wooden podiums. They're arranged so that everyone can face each other, and are fixed into place. Each one bears a metal plaque with a cast member's name engraved on it. There's also a metal panel on top, with twenty ivory buttons paired to everyone's name.

Among these, only Jean Valjean's podium is different - that one is draped in black crepe, with a larger greyscale version of his headshot from the playbill framed and sitting at its foot like a funerary portrait. Standing where he might have stood, a bare lightbulb glows faintly atop a metal pole.

Right here, you're very close to the stage. But the curtain is closed, and it's a little too high to easily clamber up. You may not want to try. You've got more important business right now, after all.

As everyone is finding their places, the Balladeer's voice suddenly sounds loud and clear throughout the space.]

Okay, guys, here's how we do trial. I've...never actually been involved in something like this before, but you can do it. Just take all the time you need to talk it out - I'll be right here the whole time. You don't need a unanimous vote, we go by majority rule.

Oh, and don't mess with those buttons until you're really ready to vote. You won't be able to take it back.

...good luck.

Comments

VOTING

[tellthestory]

[The Balladeer has been largely silent since suspicion turned on D-ne, but now he clears his throat from somewhere.]

I guess we've heard about enough of that. Might as well start with the votes. Remember, majority rules.

[dontfeedplants]

[Seymour's been completely frozen in fear for most of D-ne's reveal, but when the Balladeer speaks he looks up in horror.]

But... but she's just a kid...

[tellthestory]

She killed a man in cold blood.

[blackstache]

She did a rather fine job of it, at that!

[rockthistown]

We really have to vote? But...

[tellthestory]

...I know she just confessed in front of everyone, but the votes are still technically necessary.

[solomonjihad]

[Ooooh, maybe she should step back and let the poor fool come back to vote for herself! It would be so amazing for her emotional state!!

...

Naaaaah another time]

>The Lonely

May our vengeance for the blood swallowed by the earth, be swift on you.

[allicareabout]

[...Huh. Well, then.]

Are we really going to stand around arguing morality now? Her or us. That's what it comes down to.

[tellthestory]

You should probably all remember that she knew the rules days ago. I told her it would be nineteen lives for hers if she hurt anyone, yet lo and behold.

[aflatouttahell]

[She looks down at the button, and then back up. Clears her throat. Her expression is neutral, careful, the only remotely diplomatic face she's made here, possibly.]

D-ne?

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[She's going to smile, now, until this is done.]

Yes?

[irreprochable]

D-Ne, The Lonely

[trettende]

[ Child or not, she would let them all die for her wish. Hans shakes his head. If they'd all worked together it might not have come to this. ]

D-ne, The Lonely

[blackstache]

>The Lonely

[robitussin]

[She stays silent when the others begin to speak. She tries to force herself not to hesitate, but it takes a moment for her shaking hands to choose one of the names.

The Lonely.

With that, she looks towards the Balladeer.]

I'm done here. Can I go?

[She doesn't want anyone to see the tears she's sure are coming.]

[tellthestory]

[He's not actually anywhere visible right now, and regardless he does not respond.]

[dieformymusic]

[Winslow felt awful once he learned who really murdered Valjean but yet...were they forced to do this?

Somehow that makes it worse.

He hesitates, glancing at everyone...before casting his vote.]

D-ne, The Lonely

[He wished it never came to this.]

[inforapenny]

[When he's sure that Anna will be ok, he heads back to his own podium.

Her or us.]

D-Ne, The Lonely

[sunshineprincess]

[Anna is as capable of hatred as anyone, but right now? All she feels is disappointed. She can't get herself to say anything to D-ne, so she just votes.

>The Lonely]

[bestof]

[Eliza's been quiet while D-ne's...everything happens. She's back at her podium, her head hanging so her chin touches her chest. She doesn't want to do this. D-ne confessed but how can she put her, a young girl, to death?

She lifts her hand slowly, hesitating over the buttons, before finally pressing a button.]

> The Lonely

[She'll pray for them, especially Valjean and D-ne, tonight.]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

> The Lonely

[She doesn't...address anyone. There's nothing she can say anymore. And all these feelings in her-

It's so weird. The only thing that could make her feel something before was B-ko.]

Balladeer-san, I trust you won't, but please don't go easy on me. Give a person like me everything I deserve, alright?

[tellthestory]

[He's silent for a moment. When he sings a response, it's for once entirely without accompaniment.]

...it didn't mean a nickel
You just shed a little blood
And a lot of people shed a lot of tears...

[.....]

I will.

[catliketread]

[So, now that he's done singing with D-ne about how great it is to be a pirate, because that's just apparently how our lives played out today...

Well, there really is only one option here. There's only one person to blame for Valjean's death and as much as he doesn't want to touch that button, the Pirate King would never consider pressing any others. Abstaining might skew the vote and he can't risk that either.

He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and presses it.]

>The Lonely

[Some part of him wonders if he'll ever be able to sing the Pirate King tune without thinking about this very moment.]

D-ne! It has been a pleasure getting to know you. I'm very sorry that things must end like this, but... I've truly enjoyed our time together!

[...He might be crying a bit, maybe, but he's trying to smile anyway.]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[It seems D-ne won't stop smiling now. Or can't? She's playing with her ribbon- B-ko's ribbon- and that's the only nervous habit she'll allow herself.]

You're a very simple man, Pirate King-san. Very kind. Please stay that way.

[dechagny]

[...

Silence. Grim silence. Raoul cannot deny what he has heard and what has been found.

>D-ne, The Lonely

His vote is cast, and he feels worse for it.]